Welder turned teacher prepares students for bright, stable future

by Spencer Griffin

University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) welding instructor Zack Freeman has spent most of his adult life surrounded by the torch.

In fact, Freeman has 21 years of experience in the welding industry alone, and fiveand-a-half more as an instructor at UACCM.

Freeman began his career journey in victorious fashion. While in the welding program at Russellville Vo-Tech Center in May of 2000, between his junior and senior year of high school, Freeman won a welding competition. Little did he know the victories would not stop there. Among the judges was an owner of Cooling and Applied Technology (C.A.T.), who, after the competition, offered Freeman a part-time job.

Freeman would later work multiple welding jobs in Fort Smith and Russellville, becoming experienced in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux core arc welding (FCAW), and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). This allowed him to become well-rounded in his welding career.

O*NET describes the welding occupation as such:

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

"Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products."

O*NET also describes tasks that are related to the occupation: (These are just five of the 30 tasks listed on O*NET. To see more tasks, visit www.onetonline.org.) • Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions. • Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits. • Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications. • Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment. • Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.

After his many jobs, it was time for the college life for Freeman.

“I entered college at the age of 27,” he says. “I felt that I needed to pursue a degree in order to advance within the company.

While attending classes, the welding instructor position became available, and I was told I should apply. I was hired two weeks later and have found that helping students find a career path is one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done.”

Freeman has helped UACCM become the state’s first American Welding Society (AWS) weld test facility.

This means students and welders already in the field can take AWS qualification tests at UACCM, tests that will be recognized all over the country.

UACCM also always has two certified weld inspectors on site and can accommodate any testing or training needs that anyone might have.

When it comes to encouraging his students, Freeman likes to remind them that there is money to be made in the industry, but only if they are willing to work hard. He says that students who have completed the welding program typically start out making $15 to $21 an hour, but students who are willing to travel will far exceed this amount. He adds that long hours and overtime can be the difference between a welder who makes $40,000 per year and $80,000 or more per year.

“If students are not willing to get dirty and work hard, no matter what the weather conditions are, then they won’t make it in the field,” he says. “Degrees are very important, but if you go to school and acquire a degree that does not have job opportunities, then what good is it? Anyone in the welding/technical fields can travel anywhere in the country and find a job.”

Freeman adds that most students are offered multiple jobs while they are still enrolled in classes.

Technology has played a major role in almost all industries in the workforce, and welding is no different.

“With robotics coming on strong, students at UACCM will have the option to train on a Lincoln educational robotic welder as well as a CNC plasma cutting machine, an automatic band saw, and a programmable metal shear,” Freeman says.

Freeman harps on the stability of the field and reinforces the notion that hard work can lead a student to success, especially when it comes to welding.

“I have been employed as a welder since May 29, 2000. I have not gone one day without a job since I started,” he says. “I do not see the welding field slowing down any time in the future. So, if you are considering a career, you are willing to work hard, and you aren’t afraid to get a little dirty, I encourage you to look into the welding field.”

Anyone in the welding/technical fields can travel anywhere in the country and find a job.